A party-list lawmaker on Monday pushed for the passage on final reading of a bill that aims to regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire before Congress adjourns on February 5.
Rep. Sandro Gonzalez of Marino party-list group appealed to the House leadership to finish the plenary deliberation on House Bill 10571 (HB 10571), or the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act,” and have it approved before the long session break.
“We only have a few session days left, or until February 4, before the adjournment. I appeal to my colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve on third and final reading House Bill No. 10571 before the adjournment,” Gonzalez said in a statement.
HB 10571, under Committee Report No. 1364, is a substitution to 19 bills filed separately by several congressmen with a similar objective of regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.
“We can pass it before February 5. It’s a way of thanking the motorcycles-for-hire drivers for continuously serving the people since the start of the pandemic. It’s important to regulate their operations for their and their clients’ protection,” Gonzalez said.
The regulations under HB 10571 include, among others, the registration of motorcycles-for-hire with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which shall ensure their roadworthiness.
The LTO shall promulgate the necessary guidelines, setting forth the requirements for the issuance of a professional driver’s license, including the content of theoretical and practical examinations appropriate for the operation of a motorcycle-for-hire.
Only riders who were issued with professional driver’s licenses shall be allowed to operate motorcycles for hire.
The LTO shall conduct a continuing safety training program for licensed drivers for motorcycles-for-hire with a curriculum duly certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, provided that the licensed riders shall attend at least one safety training seminar every year.
“There are other salient points in the bill that promote the safety and protection of riders and their passengers,” Gonzalez said.